Over the years, Sweetwater Creek has been one of our favorite places to visit. It is so easy to get to—just west of Atlanta. I have a pass to the Georgia State Parks. They are fun, safe, and most are within a quick driving distance. Cocoa and Chip love them because the paths are natural but well maintained. Plus they usually have plenty of people around and plenty of dogs, too.

“Sweetwater Creek State Park is a peaceful tract of wilderness only minutes from downtown Atlanta. A wooded trail follows the stream to the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill burned during the Civil War. Beyond the mill, the trail climbs rocky bluffs to provide views of the beautiful rapids below. Additional trails wind through fields and forest, showcasing ferns, magnolias, wild azaleas and hardwoods.  Park rangers lead informative hikes to these areas throughout the year.”

The park’s 215-acre reservoir is popular for fishing and provides a pretty setting for feeding ducks and picnicking.  During warmer months, the park rents fishing boats, canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats. (Cocoa likes the pedal boats!)

I used RadLab on this photo (you can download a free trial at www.totallyrad.com). And that is water on the left side of the photo — just hard to detect with this filter.